Factors associated with Cyberbullying in adolescents of South India.

Cyberbullying is not a well-studied topic in the Indian context. With the emergence of online classes, adolescents are exposed to various dimensions of Information and communication technologies (ICTs) and the risk associated with this often goes unnoticed. The research is inspired by a preliminary work (Unpublished report, 2019) conducted as a part of a need assessment to understand traditional bullying in schools of Udupi, Karnataka. Thirty per cent of the adolescents’ reported that they were bullied online and there is little current evidence in the literature for these associations in India. Adolescents belief system strongly influence the coping strategies used in a situation especially cyberbullying, where a traditional victim could be a perpetrator or vice versa online. It is very important to understand these relations to help in developing interventions and maximizing resources for the same.

Aims & objectives

• To understand the prevalence of cyberbullying perpetration and victimization among adolescents
• To study the gender difference in cyberbullying perpetration and victimization among adolescents
• To study the relationship among normative beliefs about aggression, early maladaptive schemas, coping and cyberbullying perpetration and victimization among adolescent

Method

Eligibility criteria

• Participants from grades VII, VIII, IX and X
• Who are able to read and write English

Statistical methods

The socio-demographic details will be analysed using descriptive statistics. Correlation analysis – the relationship between variables ANOVA- the difference in means of EMS, Approval of aggression, coping strategies in cyber victimization and perpetration (categories). Post hoc analysis, Regression/ Factor modelling will be carried out to understand further.

Tools

Data collection will be done through questionnaires and the following are the list of questionnaires that will be used for the study

• Socio-demographic data: A proforma containing the age, gender, class, residence, time spent on the internet (daily on weekdays and weekends) other than for academics, mode of accessing the internet: mobile, tab, desktop, internet café, active social media platforms, online gaming if any will be collected.
• Bullying and cyberbullying Scale for Adolescents (BCS-A) (Thomas et al, 2019): multi-dimensional measurement model of bullying victimization and perpetration contains 26 questions in 2 scales measuring victimization and perpetration experiences, each consisting of four factors: physical, verbal, and relational, and cyber.
• The Normative Beliefs about Aggression Scale [NOBAGS] (Oct 1998/Oct 2011) (Huesmann, L. R., & Guerra, N. G. 1997): 20 item scale designed to measure a child’s, adolescent’s, or young adult’s perception of how acceptable it is to behave aggressively both under varying conditions of provocation and when no conditions are specified
• Brief Young schema Questionnaire –Adolescents (B-YSQ-A) has 54 items that were selected from the YSQ-S3 (i.e., 90 items) to compose the B-YSQ-A. Valid tool for assessing the 18 EMSs across the age span of 12–18 years old.
• The Brief-COPE is a 28-item validated self-report questionnaire designed to measure effective and ineffective ways to cope with a stressful life event. The scale can determine someone’s primary coping styles as either Approach Coping or Avoidant Coping. In addition, the following subscales are reported: Self-distraction, Active coping, Denial, Substance use, use of emotional support, use of instrumental support, Behavioral disengagement, Venting, Positive reframing, Planning, Humor, Acceptance, Religion, & Self-blame

Procedure

The study is aimed at understanding bullying (cyberbullying) and associated factors among adolescents. First of all, the institutional ethics committee clearance will be obtained. Permission will be obtained from the education office to approach schools. Schools will be recruited and approached according to their convenience. Targeted classes will be approached and study details will be explained, and consent will be sent to the parents through their children and assent will be obtained from the students willing to participate in the study. In the present study, students of class 7th, 8th , 9 th and 10th of 1 or 2 schools will be selected on the basis of permission granted by the school authority. Convenient sampling will be used. Students who have permission from their parents will be recruited and administered the questionnaires. The survey will be administered during a regular classroom period and students will be monitored by the researcher and respond to students’ questions/queries.

Ethical considerations

• As the students are below 18 years, parent’s permission and consent is important along with permission from the school authority.
• The study involves voluntary participation of students does not compel anyone.
• The study will be conducted in free periods and will not disturb their study time.
• The study maintains utmost confidentiality as it does not require anyone to write their name on it or from which school they are from, thus, making it impossible to track their identity.
• The participants can withdraw from the study anytime they wish and they will not be charged for it.